Important Notice

The Greater Boston Post Polio Association is disbanding after 30 years of providing education, sharing resources and offering support to the post polio community and their families. The Association no longer has the volunteers nor the energy to continue as a viable group. After much thoughtful deliberation, the board of directors voted to officially end all operations of the Association as of October, 2016. Thank you to the many members and volunteers who supported the Association with their time and financially for 30 years.
If you are looking for Post Polio resources please contact:

Welcome to the website of the (former) Greater Boston Post-Polio Association! This site is no longer actively maintained except for the notices above, but it does contain some useful references, so it will stay up for now.

Rather than inundate you with a library of thousands of documents, we take a more selective approach to make it easy for you to find the most important and useful resources available. Many of the items here, such as our member-written articles, Positive Personal Solutions column and resource list originate with the GBPPA and will be found in few other places. We hope that you will find information here that will make coping with post-polio syndrome a little easier.

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What is Post-Polio Syndrome?

Post-polio syndrome, often called post-polio sequelae or the late effects of polio, is a condition which affects a growing number of individuals who contracted polio 30 or more years ago. Most polio patients recovered, at least partially, held responsible jobs and functioned reasonably well for years. Many now find themselves physically unable to maintain the active lifestyle they had struggled so hard to achieve. Post-polio syndrome is characterized by the following symptoms:

unaccustomed fatigue

muscle weakness

respiratory difficulties

muscle and joint pain

intolerance to cold

functional loss

Because of the virtual eradication of polio in the United States in the late 1950s, most members of the medical community and the general public fail to recognize such symptoms as relating in some manner to the original disease. Although medical researchers studying post-polio syndrome have uncovered some facts about the condition, no effective medical treatments have been found. Lifestyle changes, pacing and the use of adaptive equipment are the most effective way to minimize the effects of PPS.

The Greater Boston Post Polio Association

The Association was formed in 1986 and became a nonprofit corporation in 1987. Membership is open to:

individuals who originally contracted polio and who are now experiencing the effects of post-polio sequelae.

members of the medical community interested in research into the causes of postpolio sequelae and providing treatment to those encountering the effects.

families and friends of members as well as all others interested in furthering the objectives of the Association.

The Associationís Objectives

to expand awareness of, and responsiveness to, the needs of individuals affected by postpolio sequelae as well as the needs of their families by disseminating information to the members, to the medical community and also to the public.

to act as a support and information group for members, and to seek answers to common problems.

to cooperate with local and national organizations in the development or enhancement of services which will benefit all concerned.

The Associationís Activities, Resources and Publications

Meetings which feature speakers from various fields of interest and which provide opportunities for social interaction and networking

Outreach programs for members unable to attend meetings, including newsletters, a telephone network and video tapes of selected meetings

Participation in national conferences and sponsorship of regional seminars

A voicemail telephone line, (781)596-8245 for members to make suggestions or to request information

Our quarterly newsletter, TRIUMPH,has suspended publication for now.

This website, http://gbppa.org or http://www.gbppa.org

A library of useful articles which are available at meetings or by request

Information packets for consumers and health care professionals

A resource list including services and practitioners familiar with post-polio syndrome

The Fred C. Pearson Memorial Fund, named in honor of a creative and generous man who made tremendous contributions to the GBPPA in many areas during his lifetime, was established to assist members of the Association of at least six months standing who are now encountering the effects of post-polio syndrome to purchase assistive equipment, including but not limited to walking aids (such as canes, walkers and special shoes), automotive or wheelchair accessories and tub or shower safety equipment (such as grab bars or special seats). It is also the intent to provide grants for unreimbursed services by a qualified healthcare provider such as initial diagnostic testing relating to post-polio syndrome or review of rehabilitation issues including evaluations of the home environment. The maximum grant is $600 and shall be not less than 25% of the total cost of the assistive equipment or services for which the grant is made.

The following criteria apply:

The applicant must be experiencing financial hardship.

The applicant must have exhausted all customary sources of financial assistance.

A brief application must be completed.

A letter from the applicantís physician containing information (as outlined in the application) must be provided.

A written quotation for the equipment or services from the vendor is required.

The Association encourages members who feel that they might qualify to request an application by calling the voicemail line.